Vonn detailed her complex injuries, including a tibia fracture, fractured fibular head, tibial plateau, torn ACL, and broken ankle. The Olympic champion explained how compartment syndrome caused by the trauma threatened to kill the muscle and nerves in her leg, potentially requiring amputation.
The skier credited orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Hackett with saving her limb through an emergency fasciotomy, which involved cutting open both sides of her leg to relieve pressure. "He saved my leg from being amputated," Vonn said of the life-saving procedure.